PolyU and XJTU collaborate in nurturing engineering talent for Silk Road developments

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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) have jointly set up the Silk Road International School of Engineering (SRISE) for fostering cooperation and exchange in research and education among the Belt and Road countries and regions.

Among the series of education, training and exchange initiatives SRISE to be launched next year is its first collaboration project partnering with the Hongkong Electric Company, Limited (HK Electric) and the State Grid Corporation of China (State Grid) to help nurture high-level talents in power and energy field.     

To mark the significance of the university-industry collaboration, SRISE staged a launching ceremony earlier this month (November) on PolyU campus, which was officiated by Mr Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of the HKSAR Government. Other officiating guests were: PolyU Council Chairman Mr Chan Tze-ching, XJTU Vice President Professor Xi Guang, HK Electric Managing Director Mr Wan Chi-tin, and State Grid Division Director Mr Li Ming.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan Tze-ching emphasised that the Belt and Road initiative would have profound impact on Hong Kong and the world. The Hong Kong Government had been actively working with different stakeholders to make best use of the opportunities created, and both PolyU and XJTU were giving a lead by setting up SRISE.

“In collaboration with renowned local and mainland enterprises, we are confident that we can contribute to the country by leveraging our complementary strengths to nurture talent, promote research, and assist in the developments of the Belt and Road region,” he said. 

Professor Xi Guang stressed that education played a pivotal role in driving the Belt and Road developments. He believed that PolyU and XJTU could certainly contribute their strengths towards the nation’s Belt and Road strategies through their close collaboration, in partnership with the industry, in areas like talent cultivation, scientific research and technology transfer.